Chiefs Whitlock thinks RG3's speed is a curse - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 03-01-2012, 04:46 AM

Excellent article.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/R...nalysis-022712

Quote:

My professors at Ball State warned me that my good looks, perfectly sculpted body and high intellect might impede my career as a journalist. They feared my seemingly endless physical and intellectual gifts would prevent me from developing a singular focus.

I have similar fears when assessing Robert Griffin III’s NFL prospects. Abundant talent can be a curse.

The biggest news of the NFL Combine was RG3’s blazing 40-yard dash time. He covered 40 yards like a shutdown corner, clocking a 4.41. The instant-Twitter analysis of NFL experts was that Griffin’s show of speed increased the value of the Rams’ pick, the one right after the pick the Colts are expected to use on Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

In my opinion, Griffin’s speed doesn’t enhance his draft stock. It damages it.

I am not a Robert Griffin hater. I love RG3. In all likelihood, he will be my favorite NFL player next season. He could quickly become my favorite active athlete, ahead of Tiger Woods, Ray Lewis and Jeff George (has yet to file his retirement paperwork).

But I’m worried about Griffin. He’s blessed with too many tools. Oftentimes, the greatest athletes are physically limited, which strengthens their focus. Bill Russell could never match Wilt Chamberlain’s size and limitless athleticism. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren’t the greatest leapers or the quickest on their feet.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are relatively immobile. They play from the pocket because they have no choice. They mastered the art of playing from the pocket because they had no other choice.

NFL games are won most consistently by quarterbacks who play from the pocket. If a quarterback leaves the pocket, he’s going to get hit. If a quarterback gets hit regularly, he’s going to get hurt. If a franchise quarterback gets injured, his team has little chance of winning the Super Bowl.

NFL teams are looking for the next Manning or Brady. Or the next Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. A little mobility is good, especially if the quarterback moves in the pocket in an effort to throw downfield. Rodgers and Big Ben are terrific at moving to throw. Is that how Griffin will use his athleticism?

Or does Griffin have so much speed that he’ll channel Michael Vick?

Vick had too much talent early in his career. The game was too easy. The temptation to fix problems with his feet was too great for him to master QB play from the pocket. He’s just now attempting to play the game from the pocket. Even now, he gives in to his blazing speed and exits the pocket prematurely.

OK, we know RG3 is vastly different from the young Michael Vick. But it took Donovan McNabb a few years to commit to pocket play. Steve Young had to sit behind Joe Montana in San Francisco to learn to fully appreciate the pocket.

NFL fans are going to want to see Griffin run. When you’re faster than everyone on the field, it makes sense to run. Griffin is going to be fighting common sense and his natural instincts.

And what if he gets paired with the wrong head coach, a coach who is looking for a quick-fix rather than Griffin’s long-term success?

There is talk that the Redskins might want to move up in the draft to get RG3. Mike Shanahan is under pressure in Washington. He needs to win right away to ease the public pressure and prevent Daniel Snyder from firing him. Shanahan could play Griffin as a rookie and allow him to run because his legs might produce eight or nine victories quicker than his arm.

All coaches prefer to win now. It’s the only way to guarantee another season. Is there a proven, confident coach in a stable organization willing to properly support Griffin’s development?

Environment and fit are the keys to Griffin’s success. That’s why Luck is the better prospect. Luck is extremely gifted, but he won’t be tempted to outrun James Harrison or Terrell Suggs. The only way for Luck to consistently avoid big hits will be with quick reads and a quicker release. He’ll be forced to play QB the “right” way.

That is not to say Luck will be a better NFL quarterback than Griffin. My money is on Griffin being the second coming of Steve Young. But I’m just a fan. It won’t be my job to teach him to shy away from his God-given talent.

MoreLemonPledge · 03-01-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

Doesn't count. He hardly even played that season.

Chiefnj2 · 03-01-2012, 08:07 AM

Griffin had a 179 rushes this year.

Final year in college # of rushes
Newton - 264
Kaepernick - 175
Dalton - 86
Colt McCoy - 129
Tannehill - 58

Deberg_1990 · 03-01-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

I mean half the people on this board last year wanted to draft Clausen for the love of god.

and this is why i rarely post or get caught up in any sort of draft hype anymore. IM tired and done with it.

tymania · 03-01-2012, 08:11 AM

I did not watch a lot of RG3 at Baylor but the times i did watch him, to me he seemed to be a pass first run second type of QB.

COchief · 03-01-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

A human's strongest emotion is the avoidance of pain

I read this in Mort's (the whiny Jewish guy) voice from Family Guy. Also, not sure how to say this without being offensive, but you kind of sound like a huge pussy.

Chiefnj2 · 03-01-2012, 08:17 AM

Stat of the Week
Comparing air yards for three QB prospects
Att. Passing yards Air yards Pct. of pass yards that are air yards
Griffin 402 4,293 2,326 54.2%
Luck 404 3,519 1,815 51.6%
Weeden 564 4,727 1,993 42.2%

Stats Inc. came up with a stat that I think shows what an impressive downfield thrower Robert Griffin III was last year: air yards. That's the amount of passing yards a quarterback gets, obviously, through the air, before a receiver catches and runs with the ball. Comparing the percentage of air yards Griffin had last year to two other downfield throwers, Andrew Luck of Stanford and Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1nsI4AwL0

jd1020 · 03-01-2012, 08:21 AM

Those numbers don't really impress me.

Talking about a guy like Griffin who played in the spread with one of the fastest WR's in the league vs Luck who played in a pro style with his TEs being the #1 threat.

Chiefnj2 · 03-01-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Those numbers don't really impress me.

Talking about a guy like Griffin who played in the spread with one of the fastest WR's in the league vs Luck who played in a pro style with his TEs being the #1 threat.

One of the fastest WR's who just ran a 4.61.

jd1020 · 03-01-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

One of the fastest WR's who just ran a 4.61.

Ya... Wright is clearly 4.6 speed. Thats why he never got behind any CB in college.

Coogs · 03-01-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Those numbers don't really impress me.

Talking about a guy like Griffin who played in the spread with one of the fastest WR's in the league vs Luck who played in a pro style with his TEs being the #1 threat.

Combine 40 times...

WR Kendall Wright, Baylor, 4.61
WR Chris Owusu, Stanford, 4.36

jd1020 · 03-01-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Combine 40 times...

WR Kendall Wright, Baylor, 4.61
WR Chris Owusu, Stanford, 4.36

In before more idiots start posting a 1 time combine # while NFL teams say "they aren't concerned."

**J Diddy** · 03-01-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COchief

I read this in Mort's (the whiny Jewish guy) voice from Family Guy. Also, not sure how to say this without being offensive, but you kind of sound like a huge pussy.

:

:

You did that really well. I don't know anybody who would be offended by saying someone sort of sounds like a huge pussy.

Coogs · 03-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

In before more idiots start posting a 1 time combine # while NFL teams say "they aren't concerned."

What aren't they concerned with? Luck throwing to a TE all the time when he had two of the top O-linemen in the draft, and one of the fastest WR in all of college FB, yet threw to his TE most of the time?

WV · 03-01-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Griffin had a 179 rushes this year.

Final year in college # of rushes
Newton - 264
Kaepernick - 175
Dalton - 86
Colt McCoy - 129
Tannehill - 58

This....thanks for posting it I was going to look for the same stat. I don't get where all these morons keep calling RG3 a running QB. You do not obtain his accuracy by throwing on the run all the time. The pigeon holing of the athletic black QB continues.

jd1020 · 03-01-2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

What aren't they concerned with? Luck throwing to a TE all the time when he had two of the top O-linemen in the draft, and one of the fastest WR in all of college FB, yet threw to his TE most of the time?

They aren't concerned with Wrights "4.6" speed when there is game tape out there of him burning 4.4 CB's like Quandre Diggs from Texas.

03-01-2012, 08:07 AM	#17
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7873688	Griffin had a 179 rushes this year. Final year in college # of rushes Newton - 264 Kaepernick - 175 Dalton - 86 Colt McCoy - 129 Tannehill - 58 __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,393

03-01-2012, 08:11 AM	#19
tymania Love it or Leave it USA#1 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Casino cash: $10004900	I did not watch a lot of RG3 at Baylor but the times i did watch him, to me he seemed to be a pass first run second type of QB.
Posts: 813

03-01-2012, 08:17 AM	#21
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7873688	Stat of the Week Comparing air yards for three QB prospects Att. Passing yards Air yards Pct. of pass yards that are air yards Griffin 402 4,293 2,326 54.2% Luck 404 3,519 1,815 51.6% Weeden 564 4,727 1,993 42.2% Stats Inc. came up with a stat that I think shows what an impressive downfield thrower Robert Griffin III was last year: air yards. That's the amount of passing yards a quarterback gets, obviously, through the air, before a receiver catches and runs with the ball. Comparing the percentage of air yards Griffin had last year to two other downfield throwers, Andrew Luck of Stanford and Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1nsI4AwL0 __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,393

03-01-2012, 08:21 AM	#22
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7742645	Those numbers don't really impress me. Talking about a guy like Griffin who played in the spread with one of the fastest WR's in the league vs Luck who played in a pro style with his TEs being the #1 threat.
Posts: 24,322